Nyan! Cat Manga is Your Next Easy Read

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Collage of books and a film about cat manga in Japan

There are a lot of manga series out there to choose from. Between all of the shonen adventures and shojo romance, you may have noticed on the library shelves a certain cuddly creature that is featured in many manga series: cats! That’s right, there are many, many manga series all about cats. Whether they be a feline companion of your average working girl in Tokyo, a supreme ramen master, or mystical beings that take on the form of cute attention-craving kitties, cat manga needs to be your next read.

Why are there so many manga series and titles about cats? Cats have been an intricate and important part of Japan’s culture for centuries. There is evidence that cats have been instrumental in Japanese life as far back as the 1400s, as they chased away and ate rodents that damaged rice crops and silkworm farms. Because of this, cats were (and still are) praised and deified as protectors and bringers of good fortune in the Buddhist religion, with many temples and shrines to cats existing all over Japan. Cats were also depicted in Japanese folklore as spirits that could shapeshift into humans to cause mischief or even avenge their dead owner, so not all cats were necessarily benevolent! Regardless of whether they were good or bad, Japan has had a fascination with felines that have existed for a long time. Today in modern Japan, cats still reign supreme with many working people in urban areas preferring to own cats rather than dogs because of smaller living spaces.

Manga reflects all portrayals of Japanese cats, from protector to demon, although the most popular focus is on modern-day cats living with their owners. These series fall under the "slice of life" manga in that they mostly consist of vignettes about the everyday life of cats and don’t have much of a story arc. It can be incredibly wholesome to read about the bond between cat and human, and also chuckle at the relatable situations cat-owners undoubtedly find themselves in. Sometimes, when the world gets you down, all you need is to pick up a cat manga and the world seems a little better.

Here are just a few series to check out.

Recommended Reading

Cover image for A Man & His Cat: Vol 1

A Man & His Cat: Vol 1

This is one of the most popular manga series today in Japan. It tells the story of an elderly gentleman who has lost his wife and decides to adopt a cat. As the man navigates his loss, his new pet is there by his side, giving him love and support every step of the way.

Cover image for She and Her Cat

She and Her Cat

This is a single volume manga that is much more mellow than the other series on this list. It follows a young woman who lives alone with her cat as she navigates adult life. As the woman struggles with loneliness, her cat is there to make sure she is not alone.

Cover image for Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu

Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu

Horror manga artist Junji Ito puts a strange spin on the slice-of-life cat genre as he recounts the true story of he and his wife adopting their two cats Yon and Mu. While the stories are very typical for cat owners, Ito manages to draw them in his distinct horror style, which gives the cats and their owners a manic, demonic energy.

Cover image for I'm the Catlords' Manservant: Vol. 1

I'm the Catlords' Manservant: Vol. 1

After his father passes away and leaves him with all his unpaid debts, high schooler Yukiharu finds himself in the presence of a group of shapeshifting cats who demand he serve them! With nowhere else to go, Yukiharu makes the best of his situation and learns that the cats had a strong bond with his father.